Handle fastening assembly

ABSTRACT

The assembly includes a handle, base plate, and fastening links. Horizontal slots extend laterally through the end portions of the handle. Rectangular links having gaps provided in the short sides thereof are mounted through each slot in the handle. The base plate includes integrally formed surfaces or brackets having first portions with a lateral dimension less than the gap and second portions with a lateral dimension greater than the gap but less than the distance between the long sides of the link so that the links can fasten the handle thereto. Thin strips of resilient material extend beneath the inner surface of each bracket and form holding chambers therewith to restrain the gapped ends of the links.

United States Patent Hanley et al.

[54] HANDLE FASTENING ASSEMBLY [72] Inventors: Harold G. Hanley, Bensenville; Ed-

ward E. Williamson, St. Charles, both of I11.

[73] Assignee: Motorola, Inc., Franklin Park, Ill.

[22] Filed: March 4, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 120,988

[52] US. Cl ..l6/115, 190/57 [51] Int. Cl. ..A47b 95/02 [58] Field of Search ..16/115, 114; 190/57, 58

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,321,798 5/1967 Plamondon ..16/114 1,495,752 5/1924 La Rue ..16/1l5 2,723,417 11/1955 Furholmen 16/1 15 [1511 3,699,612 [451] Oct. 24, 1972 Primary Examiner-Bobby R. Gay Assistant ExaminerDoris L. Troutrnan Attorney--Mueller and Aichele [57] ABSTRACT The assembly includes a handle, base plate, and

fastening links. Horizontal slots extend laterally through the end portions of the handle. Rectangular links having gaps provided in the short sides thereof are mounted through each slot in the handle. The base plate includes integrally formed surfaces or brackets having first portions with a lateral dimension less than the gap and second portions with a lateral dimension greater than the gap but less than the distance between the long sides of the link so that the links can fasten the handle thereto. Thin strips of resilient material extend beneath the inner surface of each bracket and form holding chambers therewith to restrain the gapped ends of the links.

15 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDUCT24 I972 3.699612 FIG. 6

FIG. 5

INVENTORS HAROLD '6. HANLEY EDWARD E. WILLIAMSON ATTORNEYS HANDLE FASTENING ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Because of the unwieldly shape of some portable articles such as television sets, test instruments, radios,

etc. It is often necessary to anchor handles thereto so that such articles can be conveniently carried from place to place. Moreover, it may be desirable to attach the handle after the assembly of the article has been completed. Hence, a fastening device is required which enables the joiner of the handle and the article without requiring access to the interior of the article. The device also should facilitate installation and removal of the handle in a minimum of time and in response to the exercise of minimum effort and skill. Furthermore, to maintain the esthetic quality of the appearance of the article, it may be desirable that a horizontally mounted handle self-return to a position such that its top is flush with the top of the article thereby concealing the fastening device when the handle is not being utilized to transport the article.

In the past, handle structures and fastening devices have been developed which have some of the foregoing desirable features but which also have undesirable qualities. Such prior art structures are sometimes composed of a multiplicity of parts having close tolerances which must be carefully assembled. Also, the arrangement of parts may require installation thereof before the article is completed. Other prior art structures include springs which facilitate fastening of the handle to the article but the springs also support some of the weight of the article when the handle is in use which causes them to lose resiliency. Moreover, other structures do not enable the handle to self-return to a flush position with the surface of the article to which it is mounted. Still other structures require the use of special tools or techniques to facilitate removal of the handle or installation or a replacement handle.

For instance, some prior art handle coupling mechanisms require the handle used therewith to include two recesses. A pin must be mounted through holes associated with each recess. The wall of the case of the article to which the handle is to be fastened must also include holes. Threaded members, in cooperation SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide an improved handle retaining mechanism for use on a portable case. Another object of the invention is to provide a selfreturning handle mechanism, for use on a portable case, which is relatively inexpensive and simple to manufacture, assemble and repair.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a device for anchoring or connecting a handle to a case in a manner whereby the continuous contour of the case is not disturbed by the projection from the case of the handle or the handle anchoring device when the handle is not being used.

A further object of the invention is to provide a handle anchoring mechanism whereby a collapsible handle can be connected to or disconnected from a surface which has only one accessible side without requiring the use of tools but by applying pushing or pulling forces to the handle.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a handle mounting device which facilitates the connection and the disconnection of a handle with a surface without requiring couplings formed by blots, screws, rivets, pins, welding or the like. 7

In brief, the collapsible handle assembly of a preferred embodiment of the invention facilitates the connecting and disconnecting of a handle and a case. The assembly includes a baseplate which is suitable to be mounted to an accessible surface of a case, cabinet or chassis. A shaped bracket having a generally con cave inner surface is affixed to the base plate at a predetermined point such that the concave inner surface faces the topsurface of the base plate. The handle to be attached to the base plate is provided with a longitudinal slot extending through the side surfaces thereof.

Rectangular link for attaching the handle to the base plate has a gap provided in one of the short sides thereof. The gap facilitates installation of the link through the slot in the handle and onto the shaped portions of the bracket. The shaped bracket has a first portion which has a lateral dimension less than the gap and a second portion which has a lateral dimension greater than the gap. A spring on the underside of the bracket holds the gapped side of the link against the concave inner surface of the bracket but allows the link to pivot about a transverse axis running between the bracket and the spring. The link on the slot. in the handle is proportioned so that the side portions of the link extend in a plane along the slots in response to the surface of the handle being juxtapositioned next to the surface of. the base plate. The gapped end portions of the link pivot about the transverse axis and the second end of the link slides inv the slot so that the sides of the link extend in an increasingly vertical plane in response to the surface of the handle being separated from the surface of the base plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet for a portable television on which the collapsible handle mounting assembly of the invention may be installed;

FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of a portion of a base plate having a bracket integral therewith and a spring attached to the bracket and to the base plate;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of one end of the handle showing how a link is attached thereto;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a portion of the handle and its fastening device illustrating the mounting of one end of the handle to a bracket;

FIG. 5 is an end section view of the assembly shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partially sectioned side view of the handle and its mounting assembly in a collapsed position; and

FIG. 7 is a side view of a portion of the handle and fastening mechanism illustrating the removal of one end of the handle from a bracket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The same reference numbers refer to the same or similar parts in the several views of the drawing. Although the handle and mounting assembly of this embodiment of the invention could be used with other portable articles such as phonographs, luggage, radios, etc., FIG. 1 illustrates a cabinet 10 of a portable television receiver for use therewith. Compartment 12 is provided in the top surface 14 of the cabinet for receiving a handle and its mounting assembly by which the cabinet can conveniently be transported from place to place. Since it is desirable that the handle be affixed to the cabinet after the electronic chassis and picture tube have been installed therein, it is necessary that the handle mounting assembly facilitate the connection and disconnection of the handle to the cabinet even though only the top surface 14 thereof is accessible. Moreover,

it is important that the picture tube located behind protective shield 16 and immediately below compartment 12 be protected from the parts of the handle mounting assembly while installation or removal is being effectuated.

The handle mounting mechanism includes a base plate 18, a portion of which is shown in FIG. 2. The base plate may be formed into the channel configuration shown in FIG. 2 from a piece of steel. The base plate has a top or first surface 20 and a bottom or second surface which is designated by numeral 21 in FIG. 6. An aperture 22 is provided in each end of the base plate. Bracket 24, which may be integrally formed by surfaces of the base plate, is oriented over each aperture. Bracket 24 includes a first portion 26 which lies in the same plane as the base plate which extends from the base plate into aperture 22 at a first side thereof. A second portion 28 of bracket 24, which is affixed to and continuous with first portion 26, extends upwardly away from the plane of base plate 18. A third portion 30 of bracket 24 lies in a plane which is substantially parallel to the plane of the base plate and fourth portion 32 connects third portion 30 to the base plate at the second side of aperture 22.

Rectangular holes 34, 36, 38 and 40 are provided near the first end of aperture 22 thereby forming bars 42 and 44. Tabs 46 and 48 of spring 50 are folded around bars 42 and 44 to connect one end of the springto the base plate. Spring 50 is formed from a thin strip of resilient material, such as spring steel, and has a first part 52 connected to tabs 46 and 48 and extending down away from the bottom surface of base plate 18 (as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 6). A second Pa t 54 of spring 50, which is affixed to and continuous with part 52, runs essentially parallel to the plane of the base plate. Third part 55 of the spring passes perpendicularly through the plane of the base plate. Fourth part 56, which has one end afiixed to part 55, is shaped in the form of a semicircle whose concave surface faces the generally concave surface formed at the junction of positions 28 and 30 of the bracket to form an enclosure or holding chamber 57 (see FIG. 2). Spring 50 also includes fifth part 58 which is afi'ixed to part 56 and runs along the inner surface of portion 30 of bracket 24 and is connected thereto by a fastening device such as rivet 59 or a shear form in portion 30 of the bracket.

A bracket and spring assembly similar to that shown in FIG. 2 is also provided at the other end of base plate 20 as illustrated in FIG. 6. This latter assembly may have a reverse configuration, provided by rotating bracket 24 and spring 50 180. Base plate 18 is located beneath surface 14 of housing 10 and anchored to either the chassis or the cabinet assembly by suitabl fastening devices such as screws.

In FIG. 3 the bottom or first surface and in FIG. 4 the side surface of a portion of an elongated hand grip member or handle 60 are disclosed. End 61 of handle 60 is to be coupled to bracket 24 and includes a longitudinal slot 62 extending from side 64 to side 66 thereof (see FIG. 6). The slot has a lateral dimension A, a depth B (FIG. 4) and is closed at end 61 of the handle by end material 68 having a thickness C. The handle may be molded from plastic.

Also shown in FIG. 3 is a rectangular link 70 which may be formed from heavy wire having a circular crosssection with a diameter less than depth B (of FIG. 4). Link 70 hasshort sides or end portions 72 and 74 and long side portions 76 and 78. End portion 74 has a gap provided therein which is slightly greater than the distance C. The distance D between the inside surfaces of long sides 76 and 78 is greater than the lateral dimension A of slot 62 provided in the handle. Thus, gap 80, link 70, slot 62 and handle end material 68 are proportioned so that link 70 can readily installed on the handle and the distances A and D are selected to enable link 70 after end portion 68 has been pushed through gap 80, to be rotated so that it is in engagement with the handle with short side 72 thereof extending transversely within slot 62. As shown in FIG. 6 the other end of handle 60 also includes aslotted end portion similar to end 61 and which is adapted for engaging a rectangular link which is similar to link 70.

After the links have been installed on handle 60, one link is utilized to attach each end of the handle to a bracket as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. The transverse distance E of first portion 26 of bracket 24, as shown in FIG. 2, is'less than gap 80 in link 70 and the transverse distance F of second portion 28 of bracket 24 is greater than gap 80 but less than distance D between long sides 76 and 78 of the link. The portion 82 of the aperture 22 which abuts bracket 24 has a minimum width which is greater than the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the wire from which link 70 is formed.

Hence, gap 80 of link 70 can be pushed past first portion 26 of the bracket into enclosure 86 between spring 50 and bracket 24 as depicted by the dotted line showing of link segment 70 in FIG. 4. The upper surfaces of the first, second and third parts of spring 50 keep the end portion 74 of link 70 from projecting downwardly more than a predetermined or safe distance below the bottom surface of the base plate 18 so that it cannot damage the picture tube or other structure located below plate 18. After the link has been inserted into enclosure 86, end 74 of link 70 can be pulled into holding chamber 57 by an upward pulling force applied to handle 60 which causes the point 88 between the third and fourth parts of spring 60 to be temporarily moved away from bracket 24 as end 74 of link 70 passes therebetween. (See FIG. 4) After end 74 of link 70 is in the holding chamber, as shown in solid lines in FIGS. 4 and 5, the spring allows rotation of the'link about a transverse axis running through the chamber. The other link is employed to couple the other end of the handle to the other bracket and spring in a like manner.

Since base plate 18 is located beneath surface 14 of cabinet 10, handle 60 is housed beneath cabinet surface 14 which has only one accessible side without requiring the use of tools and by applying simple pushing and pulling forces to the handle and its associated links. Even though the top surface of the handle may be flush with the abutting top surfaces of the cabinet, access to the handle is readily effectuated. A downward force applied to either end of the handle causes the opposite end thereof to be displaced above the abutting surface so that the handle can be pulled from its recess. A vertical force transmitted to the handle by a person lifting the handle to move the television cabinet, for instance, causes the bottom surface of the handle to be separated from the top surface of the plate as shown in FIG. 4 and the links to assume a vertical posture. The carrying force is thereby transmitted by the links to the underside of the brackets 24 (as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) rather than to springs 50.

If handle 60 is released after being in its extended position, the links rotate in opposite directions about the transverse axes extending between the springs and the brackets and the closed short ends of the links in the handle slide toward each other in the handle slots so that handle 60 returns to a collapsed position as shown in FIG. 6 with the long sides of the links extending substantially along the longitudinal slots. The bottom surface of the handle rests in compartment 12 just above the top surface 20 of the base plate. A plastic shield may be installed between the bottom surface of thehandle and the top surface of the base plate; The handle, in its collapsed position, may not disturb the continuous contour of the top of the television cabinet. Thus, the collapsed handle hides the mounting mechanism while maintaining the desired appearance of the cabinet resulting from continuous contour lines.

If it is desirable to remove the handle from the base plate, the handle is lifted so that the bottom surface of the handle and the top surface of the base plate are separated, as shown in FIG. 7. As the handle is lifted the links rotate about the transverse axes and portions of the links slide in the handle slots so that each of the links assume an increasingly vertical posture. After being lifted, the handle is shifted in a direction toward the end thereof which is to be disengaged first. Once the handle is in position, a downward force applied to the end thereof above the link is transmitted along the link, e.g., link 70 and causes spring 50 to separate from the undersurface of bracket 24 thereby opening chamber 57 to release end 74 of the link therefrom. End 74 of link then falls into enclosure 86 between spring 50 and the first and second portions of the bracket. Next, end 74 of the link is maneuvered within enclosure 86 as shown by dotted lines in FIG. 7 so that gap 80 can be passed around the first portion 26 of bracket 24.

The other link can similarly be disengaged by positioning the handle toward the other link, applying a downward force to the handle end to release the link,

and then lifting the handle to remove the link from the bracket. The links can then be removed from the handle, if desired, by reversing the previously described installation process. Thus, the handle is easily disengaged from the base plate without breaking a coupling formed by bolts, screws, rivets, pins, welding or the like even though only one surface of the base plate is accessible. Moreover, tools are not required for installing or removing the handle to or from a mounted base plate. Brackets and springs have slightly different configurations from those disclosed thus far may be utilized within the scope of the present invention. For instance, 1

referring to FIG. 2, fourth portion 32 may be eliminated from the bracket with a resulting loss in strength. Furthermore, tabs 46 and 48, first part 52 and second part 54 may be eliminated from spring 50 with a resulting loss in spring strength and protection to whatever is located beneath the aperture in the base plate. Alternatively, fifth portion 58 of the spring may be eliminated with the spring then being cantilever mounted by the tabs 46 and 48 or some other suitable mounting means.

What has been described, therefore, is a snap-on, snap-off self-returning handle mechanism and handle for use on a portable case which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, assemble and repair. The handle can be connected to or disconnected from a surface which has only one accessible side without requiring the use of tools by applying pulling and pushing forces to the handle. The handle mounting mechanism is designed such that the link retaining spring thereof does not support the weight of the case and content thereof while they are being transported.

We claim:

1. A collapsible handle assembly for facilitating the connecting and disconnecting of a handle and a case, the assembly including in combination:

a base plate suitable to be mounted to the case and having first and second surfaces;

a bracket having an inner surface, said bracket being afiixed to said base plate;

a handle having ands, a first surface and side surfaces, said handle having at least on longitudinal slot associated with at least one of said ends, said slot extending transversely into said side surfaces near said one end;

atleast one link having first and second end portions and side portions;

spring means holding said first end portion of said link against said inner surface of said bracket, said spring means allowing said first end portion of said link to pivot about a transverse axis running between said bracket and said spring means;

said second end portion of said link connecting with said slot in said handle;

said link and said slot being proportioned so that said side portions of said link extend substantially along said slot with said first surface of said handle being juxtapositionednext to said first surface of said base plate; and

said first end portion of said link pivoting about said transverse axis and said second end of said link sliding in said slot so that said side portions of said link extend in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of said base plate with said first surface of said handle being separated from said first surface of said base plate; separating forces applied to said handle being transmitted by said link to said inner surface of said bracket upon said link assuming its most perpendicular position with respect to the plane of said base plate.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said bracket is integral with said base plate.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein:

said side surfaces of said handle are a first predetermined distance apart; said longitudinal slot extends from one of said side surfaces of said handle to the other of said side surfaces, said slot being enclosed by said end of said handle, said handle having a predetermined thickness between said end thereof and said longitudinal slot; said link is formed in a rectangular shape having long and short sides, said first and second end portions of said link being said short sides, said first end portion of said link having a gap provided therein which is greater than said predetermined thickness; and i said long sides of said link are separated by a second predetermined distance which is greater than said first predetermined distance; said thickness, said gap, and said first and second predetermined distances thereby facilitating the installation of said link on said handle.

4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein:

said base plate is provided with an aperture havin first and second opposite sides;

. said bracket is comprised of a strip of material having a first portion which is affixed to said base plate at said first side of said aperture and which extends into said aperture, a second portion which is affixed to and continuous with said first portion, and

said first portion of said bracket has a lateral dimension which is less than said gap in said end portion of said link, said second portion of said bracket has a lateral dimension which is greater than said gap but less than said second predetermined distance between said long sides of said link, said gap in said first end of said link thereby allowing said first portion of said bracket to pass therethrough so that said second portion of said bracket engages said first end portion of said link.

5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said spring means includes a first part which is affixed to and runs parallel along said second portion of said bracket;

said spring means having a second part affixed to and continuous with said first part and having a substantially concave surface facing said inner surface of said bracket, said second part of said spring means and said bracket thereby cooperating to form a holding chamber for said first end portion of said link means.

6. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said spring means is comprised of resilient material having ends, one of said ends of said spring means being connected to said second surface of said base plate near one end of said aperture,

said spring means having a first part extending away from and running beneath said second surface of said base plate and said first portion of said bracket, and a second part having a substantially concave surface facing said inner surface of said bracket; and

said second part of said spring means and said bracket thereby cooperating to form a holding chamber to restrain said first end portions of said link but allowing said rotation of said first end portion about said lateral axis.

7. The assembly of claim 3 wherein:

said base plate is provided with an aperture having first and second opposite sides;

said bracket beingcomprised of a strip of material having a first portion which is affixed to said base plate at said first side of said aperture which extends into said aperture and lies in the plane of said base plate, a second portion which is affixed to and continuous with said first portion and which extends above said top surface and away from the plane of said base plate, and a third portion which is affixed to and continuous with said second portion and which extends in a plane substantially parallel to the plate of said base plate over said apperture; and

said first portion of said bracket has a lateral dimension which is less than said gap in said end portion of said link, said second portion of said bracket has a lateral dimension which is greater than said gap but less than said second predetermined distance between said long sides of said link, said gap in said first end of each of said link thereby allowing said first portion of said bracket to pass therethrough so that said second portion of said bracket engages said first end portion of said link.

8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein said bracket further includes a fourth portion which is affixed to and is continuous with said third portion, said fourth portion extending to and joining said base plate at said second side of said aperture.

9. The assembly of claim 7 wherein said spring means is comprised of resilient material having ends, one of said ends of said spring means being connected to said bottom surface of said base plate near one side of said aperture,

said spring means having a first part extending away from and running beneath said bottom surface of said base plate and said aperture, a second part affixed to and continuous with said first part extending up through said aperture and said plane of said base plate and above said top surface and running generally adjacent said second portion of said bracket, and a third part affixed to and continuous with said second part having substantially concave surface facing said inner surface of said bracket where said second and third portions thereof meet; and

said third part of said spring means and said second and third portions of said bracket thereby cooperating to form a holding chamber to restrain said first end portions of said link but allowing said rotation of said first end portion about said lateral axis.

10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said spring means includes a fourth part which is affixed to and runs parallel to said third portion of said bracket.

1 1. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said first part of said spring means is positioned beneath said first part of said bracket and said aperture so that said first part of said spring means restrains said first end portion of said link means from extending more than a predetermined distance below said bottom surface of said base plate as said link means engages said bracket and said spring means.

12. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said spring means includes a first part which is affixed to and runs parallel along said third portion of said bracket;

said spring means having a second part affixed to and continuous withsaid first part and having a substantially concave surface facing said inner surface of said bracket where said second and third portions thereof meet, said second part of said spring means and said bracket thereby cooperating to form a holding chamber for said first end portion of one of said link means.

13. In a collapsible handle assembly with a handle having at least one slot extending therethrough, at least one link extending through the slot and having sides separated by a predetermined distance and a gap, a base plate formed from material having first and second surfaces and a bracket having an inner surface which is connected to the base plate and adapted to engage the link, an improvement in the bracket comprismg:

a first portion of the bracket;

a second portion of the bracket affixed to said first portion and extending up from the plane of the first surface of the material of the base plate;

said first portion of the bracket having a lateral dimension which is less than the gap, said second portion of the bracket having a lateral dimension which is greater than the gap but less than the predetermined distance so that said first portion of the bracket can pass through said gap and said second portion of the bracket can engage the link so that said link couples the handle to the base plate;

spring means having a first part which runs along said bracket; and

said spring means having a second part affixed to and continuous with said first part and having a substantially concave surface facing the inner surface of said bracket, said second part of said spring means and said bracket thereby cooperating to form a holding chamber for the link means.

14. The combination of claim 13 further including:

a third portion of said bracket affixed to said second portion and lying in a plane substantially parallel to said plane of the first surface; and

a fourth portion of the bracket connecting said third portion of the bracket to the base plate.

15. A collapsible handle assembly for facilitating the connecting and disconnecting of a handle and a case, the assembly including in combination:

base plate suitable to be mounted to the case and having top and bottom surfaces;

a pair of brackets each having a generally concave inner surface, said brackets being affixed to said base plate such that said concave inner surfaces face said top surface handle having two ends, a bottom surface and side surfaces, said handle having two longitudinal slots each of which is associated with each of said ends, said slots extending transversely into said side surface near said ends;

a pair of links each having first and second end portions and side portions,

spring means holding said first end portion of each of said links against said concave inner surface of each of said brackets, said spring means allowing said first end portions of each of said links to pivot about a transverse axis running between said brackets and said spring means;

means connecting each of said second end portions of each of said links with one of said slots in said handle;

said links and said slots being proportioned so that said side portions of said links extend substantially along said slots with said bottom surface of said handle being juxtapositioned next to said top surface of said base plate; and

said first end portions of said links pivoting about said transverse axes and said second ends of said links sliding in said slots so that said side portions of said links extend in a plane which is increasingly perpendicular to the plane of said base plate with said bottom surface of said handle being separated from said top surface of said base plate; separating forces applied to said handle being transmitted by said links to said concave inner surfaces upon said links assuming their most perpendicular position with respect to the plane of said base plate. 

1. A collapsible handle assembly for facilitating the connecting and disconnecting of a handle and a case, the assembly including in combination: a base plate suitable to be mounted to the case and having first and second surfaces; a bracket having an inner surface, said bracket being affixed to said base plate; a handle having ands, a first surface and side surfaces, said handle having at least on longitudinal slot associated with at least one of said ends, said slot extending transversely into said side surfaces near said one end; at least one link having first and second end portions and side portions; spring means holding said first end portion of said link against said inner surface of said bracket, said spring means allowing said first end portion of said link to pivot about a transverse axis running between said bracket and said spring means; said second end portion of said link connecting with said slot in said handle; said link and said slot being proportioned so that said side portions of said link extend substantially along said slot with said first surface of said handle being juxtapositioned next to said first surface of said base plate; and said first end portion of said link pivoting about said transverse axis and said second end of said link sliding in said slot so that said side portions of said link extend in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of said base plate with said first surface of said handle being separated from said first surface of said base plate; separating forces applied to said handle being transmitted by said link to said inner surface of said bracket upon said link assuming its most perpendicular position with respect to the plane of said base plate.
 2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said bracket is integral with said base plate.
 3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein: said side surfaces of said handle are a first predetermined distance apart; said longitudinal slot extends from one of said side surfaces of said handle to the other of said side surfaces, said slot being enclosed by said end of said handle, said handle having a predetermined thickness between said end thereof and said longitudinal slot; said link is formed in a rectangular shape having long and short sides, said first and second end portions of said link being said short sides, said first end portion of said link having a gap provided therein which is greater than said predetermined thickness; and said long sides of said link are separated by a second predetermined distance which is greater than said first predetermined distance; said thickness, said gap, and said first and second predetermined distances thereby facilitating the installation of said link on said handle.
 4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein: said base plate is provided with an aperture having first and second opposite sides; said bracket is comprised of a strip of material having a first portion which is affixed to said base plate at said first side of said aperture and which extends into said aperture, a second portion which is affixed to and continuous with said first portion, and said first portion of said bracket has a lateral dimension which is less than said gap in said end portion of said link, said second portion of said bracket has a lateral dimension which is greater than said gap but less than said second predetermined distance between said long sides of said link, said gap in said first end of said link thereby allowing said first portion of said bracket to pass therethrough so that said second portion of said bracket engages said first end portion of said link.
 5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said spring means includes a first part which is affixed to and runs parallel along said second portion of said bracket; said spring means having a second part affixed to and continuous with said first part and having a substantially concave surface facing said inner surface of said bracket, said second part of said spring means and said bracket thereby cooperating to form a holding chamber for said first end portion of said link means.
 6. The assembly of claim 4 whErein said spring means is comprised of resilient material having ends, one of said ends of said spring means being connected to said second surface of said base plate near one end of said aperture, said spring means having a first part extending away from and running beneath said second surface of said base plate and said first portion of said bracket, and a second part having a substantially concave surface facing said inner surface of said bracket; and said second part of said spring means and said bracket thereby cooperating to form a holding chamber to restrain said first end portions of said link but allowing said rotation of said first end portion about said lateral axis.
 7. The assembly of claim 3 wherein: said base plate is provided with an aperture having first and second opposite sides; said bracket being comprised of a strip of material having a first portion which is affixed to said base plate at said first side of said aperture which extends into said aperture and lies in the plane of said base plate, a second portion which is affixed to and continuous with said first portion and which extends above said top surface and away from the plane of said base plate, and a third portion which is affixed to and continuous with said second portion and which extends in a plane substantially parallel to the plate of said base plate over said apperture; and said first portion of said bracket has a lateral dimension which is less than said gap in said end portion of said link, said second portion of said bracket has a lateral dimension which is greater than said gap but less than said second predetermined distance between said long sides of said link, said gap in said first end of each of said link thereby allowing said first portion of said bracket to pass therethrough so that said second portion of said bracket engages said first end portion of said link.
 8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein said bracket further includes a fourth portion which is affixed to and is continuous with said third portion, said fourth portion extending to and joining said base plate at said second side of said aperture.
 9. The assembly of claim 7 wherein said spring means is comprised of resilient material having ends, one of said ends of said spring means being connected to said bottom surface of said base plate near one side of said aperture, said spring means having a first part extending away from and running beneath said bottom surface of said base plate and said aperture, a second part affixed to and continuous with said first part extending up through said aperture and said plane of said base plate and above said top surface and running generally adjacent said second portion of said bracket, and a third part affixed to and continuous with said second part having substantially concave surface facing said inner surface of said bracket where said second and third portions thereof meet; and said third part of said spring means and said second and third portions of said bracket thereby cooperating to form a holding chamber to restrain said first end portions of said link but allowing said rotation of said first end portion about said lateral axis.
 10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said spring means includes a fourth part which is affixed to and runs parallel to said third portion of said bracket.
 11. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said first part of said spring means is positioned beneath said first part of said bracket and said aperture so that said first part of said spring means restrains said first end portion of said link means from extending more than a predetermined distance below said bottom surface of said base plate as said link means engages said bracket and said spring means.
 12. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said spring means includes a first part which is affixed to and runs parallel along said third portion of said bracket; said spring means having a second part affixed to and continuous with said first part and having A substantially concave surface facing said inner surface of said bracket where said second and third portions thereof meet, said second part of said spring means and said bracket thereby cooperating to form a holding chamber for said first end portion of one of said link means.
 13. In a collapsible handle assembly with a handle having at least one slot extending therethrough, at least one link extending through the slot and having sides separated by a predetermined distance and a gap, a base plate formed from material having first and second surfaces and a bracket having an inner surface which is connected to the base plate and adapted to engage the link, an improvement in the bracket comprising: a first portion of the bracket; a second portion of the bracket affixed to said first portion and extending up from the plane of the first surface of the material of the base plate; said first portion of the bracket having a lateral dimension which is less than the gap, said second portion of the bracket having a lateral dimension which is greater than the gap but less than the predetermined distance so that said first portion of the bracket can pass through said gap and said second portion of the bracket can engage the link so that said link couples the handle to the base plate; spring means having a first part which runs along said bracket; and said spring means having a second part affixed to and continuous with said first part and having a substantially concave surface facing the inner surface of said bracket, said second part of said spring means and said bracket thereby cooperating to form a holding chamber for the link means.
 14. The combination of claim 13 further including: a third portion of said bracket affixed to said second portion and lying in a plane substantially parallel to said plane of the first surface; and a fourth portion of the bracket connecting said third portion of the bracket to the base plate.
 15. A collapsible handle assembly for facilitating the connecting and disconnecting of a handle and a case, the assembly including in combination: base plate suitable to be mounted to the case and having top and bottom surfaces; a pair of brackets each having a generally concave inner surface, said brackets being affixed to said base plate such that said concave inner surfaces face said top surface; handle having two ends, a bottom surface and side surfaces, said handle having two longitudinal slots each of which is associated with each of said ends, said slots extending transversely into said side surface near said ends; a pair of links each having first and second end portions and side portions, spring means holding said first end portion of each of said links against said concave inner surface of each of said brackets, said spring means allowing said first end portions of each of said links to pivot about a transverse axis running between said brackets and said spring means; means connecting each of said second end portions of each of said links with one of said slots in said handle; said links and said slots being proportioned so that said side portions of said links extend substantially along said slots with said bottom surface of said handle being juxtapositioned next to said top surface of said base plate; and said first end portions of said links pivoting about said transverse axes and said second ends of said links sliding in said slots so that said side portions of said links extend in a plane which is increasingly perpendicular to the plane of said base plate with said bottom surface of said handle being separated from said top surface of said base plate; separating forces applied to said handle being transmitted by said links to said concave inner surfaces upon said links assuming their most perpendicular position with respect to the plane of said base plate. 